Reviews

I found this at the Seattle Public Library, looking for a similarly-named fictional movie.

The documentary is not introduced. The film just jumps right into the story of a family running their own Shaky's pizza business. It exposes the viewer to personal dialog, and work and private behavior - all focused on demonstrating how hard it is to run a small business. Especially a restaurant.

Effective. This is not meant to be too effusive, for it's an hour and a half long, and seems to go on an on. However, in that regard it mimics the struggle the family is going through.

The movie within the movie - a concept done many times in the history of cinema. It is accomplished here as well as in any.

If you love Carmen, you'll love this version.

If you love flamenco, you'll love this version.

The plot of the classic opera is played out in the actual rehearsal of the opera by a flamenco troupe. The music is authentic. The direction wonderful.

If you like dancing, you'll love this version.

There is tragedy. There is passion. There is intrigue.

There is...

Carmen.

This movie has so many elements going for it that it's hard to present them in review format. At the minimum, there are intertwined character portrayals that are so carefully and seamlessly interwoven that they cannot be separated. Truly, the whole is greater than the parts.

Two families become one, for a short, intense period of time. Two cultures. A husband and wife on the cusp of disaster. Two young girls, both needing reinforcement and hope. A mother, having lived her own disaster, watching her daughter's unfold, and able to do something about it. Love.

It's all there. You have but to watch. And enjoy.

This movie is well written, well directed, well acted, and fresh.

The sex is integral to the movie, and only modest amounts of skin are shown.

This is great comedy.

It's subtle, and deserves a viewing.

You are at first drawn into a plot involving infidelity, but the behavior slowly spreads to all four of the primary characters, and by movie's end the entanglements are complete and there is much fun to be had.

Do rent this.

This movie is one of those rare pieces of cinema where it all comes together.

The style is consistent - campy. The acting is wonderful. The editing and rhythm are superb. The music engaging.

It is about ballroom dancing. It is a love story. It is about the love and pathos of life.

If you've not seen this movie and are in need of a smile, see this one. It is about a dance studio whose main dancer, a male, is in need of a partner for regional championships. He and his former partner have split, leaving an opening that is a challenge to fill. The do fill it, but not until the last moment, and when it comes together, it creates a finale that is among the best ever shot.

This is one of those increasingly rare romantic comedies that is well made. It is well acted and well edited. Keaton is every bit Nicholson's equal, and their character portrayals are evenly developed and satisfying.

Reeves seemed out of character, but that was perhaps consistent with his role.

For those of us who are Nicholson and Keaton fans, however, this is a movie to savor. Their facial expressions, their deliveries - it all comes together in wonderful harmony.

Why does IMDB require 10 lines in their comments now? What a shame. Here you have it. Brevity, thou are no longer valued.

The elements are there, but this is not your usual gangster movie. The usual violence is overlayed with a sadness, of being trapped on a road one cannot get off of. The music score reinforces and elevates this mood in a way the acting alone would not have done. The score is haunting and effective. Tom Hanks feels no choice but to seek retribution for the unusual twist the plot takes early on, and from there on out it is a sad road he follows.

Hanks is very effective in his role, as are Paul Newman and Tyler Hoechlin. Fans of Hanks and Newman will not want to miss their portrayals.

This is a movie to savor, but don't expect it to flow with the precision of polished gears. This movie cuts to the core, getting you right into the lives of young people living in poverty but full of life, with all it's uncertainties, painful experiences, and great potential. This is a coming-of-age film that defies expectations, but which delivers the goods in a fresh, real, and honest way. Don't miss it.

Here's a movie that stretches the bounds. If you're not flexible, you may want to pass on it. It has two very interesting character portrayals, where the characters grow and blossom as the movie develops, but the challenge to the normal viewer will probably not allow them to appreciate the characters or their development. This might be viewed as a dark movie, but actually is one that sheds light on a very difficult set of issues.

If you're open to something different, give this a chance. Read the description on the video cover, and if you're open to what's suggested, you'll find much to commend this movie. It is not an easy viewing, but for those who allow themselves to go outside of the bounds, the whole is very interesting movie making.

Antwone Fisher is the rare character portrayal. Autobiographical by nature, the character is nonetheless a more global depiction of the central part that family, love, and acceptance play in our human development. This is a special piece of filmmaking. Do not miss it.

This movie brings together many elements into a coherent, well directed, well-acted whole. It's a movie about coming-of-age. It's a movie about love. It's a movie about music, and the force it plays in the lives of some. All of these elements are intertwined into a wonderful whole that will leave you feeling good about life. Don't miss it.

Whale rider is about as satisying a movie as they get. This one has many different elements going for it at once: coming-of-age, sexism, the struggle to maintain a cultural focus. It is beautifully directed, acted, and the cinematography is splendid.

Don't miss it.

We often attribute the characteristic of "character portrayal" to the movies we see. This movie sets the standard. William H. Macy's portrayal of Bill Porter draws us into the very heart of an exceptional person, with a capital P.

Do not miss this movie.

This is a singularly great series. Spielberg and Hanks have set the standard for what is possible with the medium. It is for us to appreciate this, and through it, the contribution of one of the great generations in the history of this country.

Swimming Pool is a very smart movie. It's pace is luxurious, and the character development wonderful, although many Americans prefer faster-paced development. Dote on yourself, if you like movies where women carry the lead. Here are two strong roles for women, both beautifully cast, with strong, consistent performances. The mystery only takes place in the latter part of the movie, and gives the rhythm an accelerating effect after the moderately-paced first half.

This movie is smart, well done, and to be recommended.

A classic movie, characterized by a spiraling effect as the characters become embroiled in behavior that is ultimately mortal. The acting and directing are superb. This movie is not violent in the syle of movies from the 1990s and 2000s, but in it's time it was considered too hard to handle for many people.

This is one of David Lean's great movies, although I recognize that not all agree. It is paced to carry it's plot forward gracefully, consistent with the time period. Those who want fast-paced, clipped movies might look elsewhere, but those who want to see cinematography, writing, editing, and acting come together to create a masterful whole should not miss this movie.

Drumline is a terrific movie. If you have a background in marching bands or drum corps, you will appreciate this movie. If you do not have a background in marching music performance, you will enjoy this movie.

This is a movie that has character development, a unique plot - if somewhat predictable, and plenty of fun scenes of marching bands competing for bragging rights.

It's more than this, though. It also captures some of the essence of the black university experience, although it's focus is understandably limited to those involved in marching bands.

If you are ready for something other than the chocolate and vanilla too often encountered in today's American movies, don't miss Drumline.

This movie has been reviwed by many, and has taken some blows that do not do the story credit. This is not a story for those who've become accustomed to fast-paced action, although there are moments of that. This is the story of one who is forced to respond to events - survive - or perish. And given that it is the story of survival on an isolated South Pacific island, it has a pace that probably does not satisfy some.

It is a satisfying movie, however, for those that would give in to it. It is missing that last magical integration of elements that could elevate it to a classic, which it is not. It is, however, a wonderful story that leaves one with an overriding sense of loss, with just the element of hope and survival at the end that brings the loss into balance.

The cinematography has moments that are breathtaking, especially when the viewer is given the sense of isolation amidst the vastness of the ocean. For one who grew up in that Pacific, these moments were especially effective.

This movie may not be for everyone, but for those who are ready for something other than chocolate and vanilla, this may just hit the spot. I recommend it.

It is not often that a child actor gives a performance the equal of the adult leads in a movie, as Haley Joel Osment does in this one. He brings the same caliber of pathos and empathy to this wonderful story as do his co-stars Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt.

Well acted, well written and edited, this deserves a second look to see if it is a greater movie than my first impression. I highly recommend it.

A satire of Fantasia, this is one of the great animated films. The humor and wry comedy are balanced by the music and animation. If you like classical music and animation, you cannot miss this one.

Why has this film not been released on DVD?! This is a film to appreciate over and over.

I thought it slowed down. There are good comedic moments throughout, but the script slows down a notch about a third of the way through. It was not clear if slow moments were intentional, meant to be surrealistic, or what. The comedic moments are good, though, and I would not discourage anyone who appreciates humor from seeing it.

I got tired of hearing the profanity. It's use was in a consistent vein, relative to the movie's style and supposed intent. Still, enough.